NW nut exporter `best'

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By KATE PRESTT

FORTH-based Walnuts Australia has been named emerging exporter of the year at the 50th Australian Export Awards.

FORTH-based Walnuts Australia has been named emerging exporter of the year at the 50th Australian Export Awards.

The national awards ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra this week aimed to recognise businesses for excellence and achievement in exporting.

Walnuts Australia came out on top after being measured against its peers based on the strength of its international growth, marketing and financial strategies.

The company was in a total of 78 Australian businesses across 12 categories to be selected as national finalists from a field of 245 entrants.

Walnuts Australia is the southern hemisphere's largest grower, processor and exporter of walnuts, with 86 per cent of its sales being derived from exports of its in-shell walnuts into Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, China and Hong Kong.

Walnuts Australia, a division of Webster Limited, Australia's fourth oldest company, has grown rapidly in the last few years, approximately tripling export sales in dollar terms over the past 12 months.

Webster Limited managing director Leigh Titmus said he expected to see that double again next year.

Walnuts Australia offers the key point of difference when marketing its product in the northern hemisphere, being able to supply fresh product when their local walnuts are six months old.

Mr Titmus said the company highly valued the award because it recognised a lot of hard work by the entire Walnuts Australia team over many years.

He attributed much of the current success to the late Peter Gilham, the owner and managing director of onion exporter Vecon, which started the walnut operation in the late 1980s.

"He had the foresight to see that there was an opportunity for a walnut industry in Australia starting here in Tasmania," he said.

Walnuts Australia now owns and manages 2200 hectares of orchards, on the east coast of Tasmania and in New South Wales.